About Illinois Wesleyan

Your hometown?

Champaign, Illinois

Why Wesleyan?

At first, academic reputation and rigor made the difference, along with the small class size and athletic opportunity. But as I start to take part in more and more activities, the personal relationships that I’ve developed with faculty and peers really makes this campus feel like a community.

Your major?

Political Science

Favorite class or professor?

Greg Shaw, Psychological Perspectives on Politics. Dr. Shaw has such a thorough grasp of the material that he teaches.

Instead of just lecturing, though, he allows the class to take the topic where they wish, and stumble upon the precepts on their own. But every once in a while, the class reaches a different conclusion than Dr. Shaw, and always, ALWAYS, hilarity ensues.

After Wesleyan?

I’d love to spend my time in policy analysis or academics, but I’m still exploring my options.

Biggest thrill or memory?

Clearing a new personal record while pole vaulting. Either that, or demolishing Dr. Shaw's porch with a sledgehammer while discussing career tracks. (He wanted me to do it, I didn’t just randomly take a sledgehammer to his porch, promise.)

For fun?

Pole vaulting with the track team, or making themed cakes for the Political Science professors. I also work with TitanTV and WESN, the campus radio station.

The best?

Conversing with students in different disciplines than my major, but still being able to merge ideas and hold a discussion on the same topic. Seeing how our differing classes prepare us differently with respect to the same questions is so interesting. And, in the end, educational for all.

Favorite book?

Catch-22, by Joseph Heller. The blending of ridiculously comical behavior and a critique of the bureaucratic nature of organizations always provides fresh food for thought.

Favorite band?

Lecrae, Newsboys, Third Eye Blind

Favorite movie?

Chariots of Fire – The sportsmanship and motivation demonstrated by both of the main athletes is such an example.

Favorite quote?

Top two:

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." — Isaiah 41:10

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." — Martin Luther King, Jr.

Steve Lessaris is a pole vaulter on the IWU track and field team, and calls football games for the campus radio station, WESN. He is also involved with Titan TV, DRL (Death, Resurrection, Life), and is a resident assistant at Adams Hall, which houses cross country athletes.